Bicycle Mechanics - 7 speed indexed barcons

So, my bright idea of the day is this: take a set of SunRace 7 speed indexed downtube shifters and mount them on Rivendell's barcon converters. Am I overlooking something really simple (like a 7 speed barcon set on the market)?
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Should work... the Riv bar-end pods have square downtube braze-on-type studs, so barring physical conflicts with the shape of the shifter, anything that mounts DT should be able to mount on the pods.

You can still find 7-speed Shimano indexed bar-end shifters on eBay now and again. Or, somewhat more easily, 7-speed Shimano DT shifters that should mount just as well as SunRace would. SunRace indexed shifters don't have a friction mode, which could be a detriment.

I found 7-speed Shimano barcons on eBay (frankly I overpaid, but them's the breaks), and am going to mount just the right one for rear indexing, and use an old Suntour ratcheting barcon for the left/front, since it has a *way* nicer action than the Shimano.

I had problems finding 7-speed Shimano barcons a couple of years ago. I finally came up with a set but it took some looking. I didn't try e-bay so they may be available there but beware of price gouging. These things are not common any more. The Riv adapters are a good work-around if you can find 7-speed DT shifters more easily and/or cheaply.

BTW, I've used both Shimano and Sun Tour barcons and don't see the Sun Tour front shifters are any better than the Shimanos. YMMV.

Thanks for the replies, gents.
I have Sun Tour barcons on my beater Atalia and my Raleigh Super Grand Prix, and like them quite a bit. Neither are set up for indexing the rear, while my once and furture Miyata is. I haven't tried Shimano front shifters, as I'm getting back into biking since Shimano took over the world....
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I put 8-speed Shimano barcons on the Jamis frame I just finished building up. It's got an old Shimano 600 derailleur that I salvaged from an '80s Schwinn with 6-speed indexed downtube shifters and a Sachs freewheel on a Campy wheel. Remarkably everything works well; the 8-speed shifter has a dead click at the bottom (better there than at the top!), but everything indexes cleanly.

I bought the 8-speed barcons new at the LBS, and was under them impression that they are still available new rather than NOS. If that's indeed the case, it might be easier than trying to hunt up a set of 7-speed barcons or doing the Rivendell adapters.

Dave

7 speed shimano cog spacing is 5mm,and 8 is 4.8mm. Close enough that 8 speed shifters usually work. Not close enough for some.

Is that spacing the same for cassettes and freewhels?
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if it's shimano index it is.

OK.
Thanks
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Hey Top, I've got 3 sets of Shimano 7spd SIS barcons in the parts bin, for the price of the postage I'll gladly send you a set.
P.M. if your interested.

'Rasher

PM sent, 'rasher, and thanks!
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